5 healthy ideas for turkey leftovers

Source: Best Health magazine, December 2012; Image: Thinkstock

1. Cold or hot sandwiches
Turkey breast, cranberry sauce, low-fat mayo and stuffing between two pieces of multi-grain bread’that’s a great meal. If you want it hot, use one piece of bread, replace the mayo with heated gravy and eat it open-faced. Or dice turkey, stir in low-fat mayo and cranberry sauce, and wrap it all up in a whole-wheat tortilla.

2. Turkey shepherd’s pie
Mix together diced turkey, vegetables, gravy and cranberry sauce. Put all into a greased casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes and stuffing. Bake until hot in the centre and crispy on top.

3. Homemade cold cuts
Freeze slices of leftover turkey in zip-lock bags. When you want a sandwich weeks or even a couple of months later, lean sandwich meat will be waiting.

4. Pasta, pizza, curries and more
Use shredded turkey as a topping for homemade pizza, or chop it up for use in pasta. Other great options: Toss it into a stir-fry or a curry dish.

5. Soup stock
Put turkey bones in a pot, add diced carrot, onion and celery, two garlic cloves and enough water to cover it all by a couple of inches. Bring to a gentle boil, skimming any gristle from the top. Reduce heat and simmer for two hours; strain. Reserve liquid and use as a stock for soup, or freeze for future use.

This article was originally titled "Fink’s Five" in the December 2012 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience’and never miss an issue!